Encore Wealth Management

Medicare and Medicaid are two terms that seem interchangeable, but aren’t. Learn more here:

Medicare vs. Medicaid The terms Medicare and Medicaid sound similar but are two very different things. Learn the differences in this informative article.

Consumers continued spending in May, even as higher prices and gas costs remained part of the picture.

Retail sales rose 0.9% in May, up from a revised 0.4% increase in April. Excluding gas station sales, retail sales rose 0.7%.

The gains were broad-based, with clothing, accessories, furniture, and online sales all moving higher. Online sales rose 1.5% during the month.

The data suggests consumers are still spending, supported in part by tax refunds and steady hiring. However, economists noted that the boost from tax refunds may fade, and higher gas prices could still affect household behavior.

Some shoppers appear to be adjusting by looking for discounts, changing where they fill up, or becoming more selective with purchases.

For the broader economy, retail sales offer a useful snapshot of consumer strength — and how households respond when prices, fuel costs, and confidence all shift at once.

Retail sales up a strong 0.9% in May, underscoring the resilience of the US consumer Shoppers stepped up their spending in May, surpassing economists’ expectations, as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off.

The investments you’ve made in your life so far have helped prepare you for the future. We can help, too.

Investments You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.

These 6 things might make your next return a prime target for an IRS audit.

Red Flags for Tax Auditors Here are six flags that may make your tax return prime for an IRS audit.

Fallen trees damage property and strain neighborly relations. Who pays when your tree falls?

Fallen Tree Damage—Who Pays? Your liability for damages that occur when a tree on your property falls on your neighbor’s property is not clear cut.

It’s a long race women run toward retirement, and the steps you take now will impact tomorrow.

The Long Run: Women and Retirement For women, retirement strategy is a long race. It’s helpful to know the route.

The financial risks to consider when evaluating self insurance?

When to Self-Insure Choosing to bear the financial burden of an adverse event is called self-insuring. Do you know what that entails?

Major student loan changes are set to take effect July 1, bringing updates to borrowing limits, repayment options, and federal aid eligibility.

New rules will limit how much some students and parents can borrow. Parent PLUS loans will be capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per student, while new caps will also apply to graduate and professional degree borrowing.

Repayment options are also changing. New federal loan borrowers will have fewer choices, with options narrowing to a tiered standard repayment structure or a new income-driven option called the Repayment Assistance Program.

Borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE may also need to choose a new repayment option, with loan servicers expected to send notices about next steps.
Pell Grant rules are changing as well, including expanded eligibility for some short-term workforce training programs.

For borrowers and students, the takeaway is simple: watch for communications from loan servicers, confirm contact information is current, and review available options before deadlines arrive.

A major student loan overhaul takes effect July 1. Here's what borrowers need to know. The changes will affect how much students and their parents can borrow, as well as their repayment options.

Wondering how much to set aside for college? Use this calculator to get a clearer picture of what you may need to save and when to start.

College Savings See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

Is it possible to avoid a loss? Not entirely, but you can take steps to manage risk. Learn more here.

Risk Perspective Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.